Method of packing and a packing and dispensing unit for garment bags



Feb. 16, 1960 J W|LL|AMSQN ETAL 2,925,175

METHOD OF PACKING AND A PACKING AND DISPENSING UNIT FOR GARMENT BAGS Filed Feb. 13, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS JoHNM.w||.uAMsoN Gonuou C. BOGART w 2; fiM/ j Feb. 16, 1960 r w 5 N ETAL 2,925,175

METHOD OF PACKING AND A PACKING AND DISPENSING UNIT FOR GARMENT BAGS Filed Feb. 13. 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS Joy- M.WILLIAMSON GORDON C. BoqAR'r ATTYS.

Feb. 16, 1960 J. M. WILLIAMSON ErA 2,925,175 METHOD OF PACKING AND A KING AND SPENSING UNIT FOR'GA NT BAGS Filed Feb. 15, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENToRs JOHN M. WILUAMSON Gannon C. BOGART A'rm Feb. 16, 1960 J M, w sc ETAL 2,925,175

METHOD OF PACKING AND A PACKING AND DISPENSING UNIT FOR GARMENT BAGS Filed Feb. 15, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS Jon-m M. WILLIAMSON 47 48 54 GoRooN C. Boamrr byf f United States Patent METHOD OF PACKING AND A PACKING AND DISPENSING UNIT FOR GARMENT BAGS Application February 13, 1959, Serial No. 793,165 8 Claims. (Cl. 206-65) This invention relates to an improved method and means for packing and dispensing articles of flat sheet material such as bags.

In general it is an object of the invention to provide a combined packing and dispensing unit for articles of sheet material, more particularly contour type garment bags made of light, transparent, material such as polyethylene film, and used by laundries and dry cleaning establishments to return a cleaned garment to the customer.

Heretofore in the distribution of articles of this type from the manufacturer to such establishments, it has been customary to pack the articles in such fashion that they may be removed from the shipping container and placed in a supply stock on a rack or shelf, from which supply stack individual empty bags are taken, one at a time, as the garments are bagged. Difiiculties have been experienced in the handling, storing and arranging of the empty bags in an accessible, convenient manner so that the bags may speedily be removed from the supply stack for use.

Accordingly, it is an object of'this invention to provide a packing unit for packing the garment bags in lots or stacks of relatively large quantity as they are manufactured, which packing unit is enclosed in a carton and shipped to the retail establishment, Where the packing unit when removed from the carton forms a convenient dispensing unit which contains the complete supply of bags and from which the bags may be removed one at a time as required.

It is a general object of the invention to provide a packing unit for a'stack of a large quantity. of garment bags, for example in lots of 100, 250 or more. Another general object is to provide such a packing unit which serves as a dispensing unit in which the bags are contained for convenient, efl'icient removal, one by one.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a method and means for compactly folding a stack of bags to form a packing unit which is adapted 'to be received in a shipping carton. Another object is to so form the packing unit that when it is removed from the carton in the retail establishment or plant, it may be used for carrying the stack of bags in position to be dispensed, and for this purpose may be hung from an overhead pipe or rack, or located in other ways convenient to the bagging station where the cleaned garments are bagged.

It is another object to provide a dispensing unit for garment bags in which a supply of bags is received from the manufacturer at the establishment or plant Where they are to be used, and wherein the dispensing unit comprises a support member around which a stack of garment bags is Wrapped, and which may be mounted with the stack draped over the member whereupon the individual articles in the stack may be dispensed.

It is particularly an object of the invention to provide a dispensing unit for garment bags of filmy material as has been described, which bags while smooth and slippery to the touch, because of static electricity or because of the lightness and filminess of the bag material may cling to each other presenting difficulties in packing and dispensing.

Another object of the invention is to provide a package consisting of 'a carton containing a dispensing unit with a stack of garment bags wrapped around it, the arrangement being such that the dispensing unit may be removed from the carton and then may be mounted to provide an accessible supply of bags, thus reducing the likelihood of dirtying or wrinkling the bags by eliminating the amount of handling of the empty bags prior to the actual bagging operation.

Another object is to provide a packing and dispensing unit from which the bags may be removed without danger of spilling any of the bags during handling. A further object is to provide a dispensing unit made of inexpensive materials yet which is sturdy to withstand rough usage. A still further more detailed object is to provide a dispensing unit which comprises a minimum of pieces, each of which may be die cut from cardboard or similar material, for carrying the supply of bags.

Further objects will appear from the following description of the invention when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the combined packing and dispensing unit for garment bags of the invention, showing a shipping container adapted to receive a plurality of packing units, each including a stack of bags wrapped about a support member.

Fig. 2 is a view of one, of the packing units removed from the container so as to form a dispensing unit for a stack or lot of bags, with the ends of the bags unfolded so that the dispensing unit may be fastened or mounted for use;

Fig. 3 is a view of the dispensing unit suspended from an overhead support such as a pipe;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially in the plane of lines 44 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is another view of the dispensing unit carried by a horizontal plank or similar support;

Fig. 6 is another view of the dispensing unit fastened in place against a vertical support member by nailing the same in place;

Figs. 7, 8 and 9 are sequence views illustrating the method steps followed in packing a lot or stack of bags so as to form a pack which serves as a dispensing unit.

While the invention is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, a preferred embodiment thereof has been shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but on the contrary the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constiuctions and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims. y

Theshipping carton 10 shown in,Fig. 1 is adapted to receive a pair of packing units 20 each :having lots of 100, 200 or 250 or more contour type garment bags made of polyethylene film or similar material. The shipping carton is of conventional construction with top flaps 21 for closing the carton. While the present invention is specifically disclosed as a packing and dispensing unit for a particular type of bag, the invention has more general application in the art of packing and dispensing of articles of sheet material. As shown in Fig. 7, this type of bag is formed to the contour of the garment and has converging sealed edges, 22 at the top of the bag with a slot 23 at the neck through which-the hanger .hook extends. The bags may be made with gusseted sides 24, and include an unsealed open bottom 25. It is customary in the carrying out ofsthe operationof bagging .cleaned garments with such bags in retail dry cleaning and pressing establishments or plants, to hang the garment by means of a hanger on a mast or frame providedIfor this purpose and to pull the garment bags down via its open unsealed bottom and over the garment. Thus, this type of garment bag is called a pullover bag.

The garment .bags arranged in stacks as they are ordinarily re'ceivedfrom the stacking apparatus associated with the machines for making the bags, are tightly folded about a support member 30 to form the packing units 20. In accordance with the invention, the stacks of bags are clamped between the support member and a clamping member carried thereby such that the bags be removed one at a time, thus providing a dispensing unit. This dispensing unit provides means for storing and handling a quantity supply of bags with ease and convenience.

Referring, therefore, to Fig. 7, the stack of bags from the stacking apparatus is shown arranged over a straight edge defined, in this case, by one side of the support member or pad 30, which is shown as a die cut strip of "corrugated fibreboard or similar material with end sectionsproviding free tabs or flaps 32, 34 having hand holes 35, 36, the flaps providing means for manually .carrying'the unit. A strip 38 of stiff, corrugated fibre- ,board considerably narrower than the support member 30-is fastened at each end to the support member for tions adapted to be inserted through the slots 39, 41 in the support member so as to lie beneath the support member between the parallel fold lines 47, 48 as shown in Fig. 8. The ends of the clamping strip 38 after passing through the slots 39, 41 in the support member 30 are stapled thereto, as indicated in Figs. 14, by means of staples 50. Thus the clamping strip 38 extends bowed over the stack of bags in contact with the uppermost bag in the stack. 1

In completing the packing of the bags, after the clamping strip 38 has been secured in place on the support member 30, the stack of garment bags is Wrapped around the support member. As shown in Figs. 7-9, this is accomplished by having the marginal edge 52 of the sup-' port member30 extend transversely of the bags in the stack substantially at the midpoint lengthwise of the bags: The stack is'folded in half over the marginal edge 52 ofl the support member so as to lie equally on each side of the. latter, as shown 'in Fig. 8, to Wrap the stack partially around the "support member. The' wrapping "or" folding o'peration is completed by reversely folding. fthe loose'ends of the stack about the opposite edge 54 of the support member "30 in the direction over the clamping strip 38, as shown in Fig. 9. It is imperative in :order to achieve a compact unit, that the ends of the stack be folded tightly around the support member, and thus the support member is about one-quarter the lengthwise dimension of the bags. The clamping strip 33 holds the stack against shifting while the tight pack is produced. V

Referring now to Fig. 1,'it may be observed that with the stack wrapped tightly around the support member 30, the bags at both ends of the stack fan out an amount depending upon the thickness of the stack. The packing unit shown in Fig. I lifted out of the carton has a "total ofa'bout 250 garment bags. Certain of the dimensions ofthe support member 30 and clamping strip 38 deperid on the"thickness,of the -'-stack and the quantity of bags therein. It will be readily understood that such dimensions, therefore, vary depending on the quantity of bags it is desired to pack in a unit. Thus the parallel fold lines 47, 48 in the support member 30 adjacent the edges of the stack, are spaced substantially three times the thickness of the stack, to permit, as shown in Fig. 1, the flap or tab 32, 34 at the outer end sections of the support member and which receives the apertures or hand holes 35, 36, to be folded flat over the bags, so that the packing unit will require less space within the shipping carton. Similarly the clamping strip 38 is scored the distance between the fold lines 47, 48 in the support member 39 from the bitter ends thereof, along the lines 43, 45 so as not to interfere with the proper folding of the end flaps 32, 34 of the support member.

Further, in keeping with a major aspect of this invention, the packing unit 20 provides, when removed from the shipping carton, a dispensing unit for storing in convenient fashion the supply of bags and permitting removal of the bags one by one from the unit. Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, it may be observed how the end flaps 32, 34 of the support member 30 with the hand holes 35, 36 provide means for carrying the support member so that the individual packing units may be readily lifted from the shipping carton in the-plant or shop where latter has been delivered. In carrying out this operation, the packing unit is raised from the position of Fig. '1 to the position of Fig. 2 while at the same time the loose ends of the stack are allowed to unfold so that instead of being wrapped around the support member 30 they are draped over the latter. When in this condition, the packing unit is adapted to being mounted in any convenient manner adjacent the bagging'station to provide a convenient, access-iblesupply of bags. Accordingly, as shown in Fig. 3, a wire hook or-hanger 60, such as a shower curtain hook or a piece of heavy cord, may be used for hanging the unit from an overhead pipe 62. On the other hand, as shown in 'Figs 5 and 6, the support member 30 may be rested on a horizontal means of support 64 (Fig. 5) or may be' fastened directly to a vertical surface or wall 66 (Fig. 6). In fastening the unit to a vertical wall 66 as shown in Fig.6, the stack of bags is'positioned spaced therefrom by virtue of the spacing strip between the transverse 'fold lines 47, 48 adjacent the end tabs, which strip is adapted to stand out perpendicular to the wall when both end tabs 32, 34 are nailed thereto as by nails 68 through the preformed nail holes 69 at the outermost fold lines 47. Thus the spacing strip in width being about 3 times the thickness of the stack of bags, positions the stack with substantial clearance from the wall 66 when the unit is mounted in the fashion described. Accordingly, the

packing-unit 20 comprises a convenient support for the garment bags, which drape balanced over the top marginal edge 52 of thesupport member 3t Moreoverthe arrangement facilitates removal of the bags from the shipping container-and transfer to'another locationby irtue of the clamping strip which holds the bags tightly to the supporting pad.

' As described hereinbefore, with the'stack of bags balanced equally over the support member 39 and draped therefrom as shown, for example in Figs. 3, 5, and 6,

the stiff, bowed clamping strip 38 being under sufiicient tension to exert pressure on the bags, prevents the bags from slipping or sliding off the support member '30. The pressure exerted on the bags is maintained by the spring-like action'of thecross-piece and pad, both of which are bowed, as shown. in Fig. 4 during their assembly'around the bags. Although the pressure decreases'as the bags are dispensed and .the'thickness of the stack decreases, sufficient spring tension is incorporated initiallyto maintain some pressure even'on the last bags in the'stack. The. support member carries the stack of bags so into permit the uppermost bag to be dispensed by being -*drawn downwardly and from :under the clamping member 38. In carrying out the foregoing the support member 30 is made of relatively heavy corrugated fibreboard with the corrugations extending lengthwise of the support member to resist bending so that as appears in Fig. 4, between the inner transverse fold lines in the intermediate portion of the support member only a slight bowing effect is produced, while the narrow clamping strip 38 bows a considerably greater amount in extending over the stack in contact with the uppermost bag therein. Due to the angle of the clamping strip 38 with relation to the edges of the bags in the stack and the pressure exerted thereon by the strip, as shown in Fig. 3, the lateral edges 70, 71 of the uppermost bag 72 when it is drawn down from under the clamping strip are caused to move progressively inwardly so that the bag gathers under the raised bowed center section. of the clamping strip 38, where the pressure' applied against the stack is reduced due to the bowed attitude of the clamping strip. Forcing the lateral edges of the uppermost bag 72 inwardly uncovers the edges of the next adjacent bag in the stack, which as shown in Fig. 3 are then in direct contact with the clamping strip. This latter effect plus the gathering of the bags towards the center of the clamping strip, which has the effect of destroying the full surface to surface contact of the uppermost and next adjacent bags, under most conditions destroys any tendency for the bags to cling together and allows removal of the bags one at a time from the unit. While the filmy material from Which these garment bags are made is smooth to the touch, static electricity and friction tend to make adjacent bags stick together to interfere with their being efficiently dispensed. Stacks of bags merely draped over a support tend to slide off as the bags work from a position where they hang evenly to a position where uneven lengths are suspended on opposite sides of the support. The arrangement herein where the clamping strip 38 holds the stack of bags on the support member 30, both prevents the slipping of the bags while holding the stack, yet permits removal of the uppermost bag. Should a few bags work forward past their point of balance over the edge of the support member, the pressure exerted by the clamping strip 38 will prevent them from falling even in this situation. Bags may be dispensed one at a time from the unit and if the remaining bags shift an undesirable amount, they may be returned to the balanced position.

Another important advantage offered by the invention is that the pressure exerted on the stack by the clamp ing strip 38 may be adjusted to relieve an overly tight pack, which may be shown by a tendency of the garment bags to wrinkle or tear as they are dispensed. In achieving this result, a slight relieving of tension may be accomplished by pulling the clamping strip 38 gently in a direction to draw the ends out of the slots 39, 41 in the support member 30. This causes the stapled ends of the clamping strip 38 to shift a small degree without tearing out of the staples, due to the give of the fibreboard material from which the support member 30 and clamping strip 38 are formed.

It has been found that the tension in the clamping strip 38 may be relieved a greater amount than may be accomplished merely by pulling gently on the ends of the strip, by tearing the clamping strip transversely for a short distance at both ends along the score lines 43, 45 present where the clamping strip passes through the slots in the support member. While this tends to weaken the clamping strip, the latter still serves its function to hold the stack of bags and permits dispensing of the individual bags one by one.

Set at the proper tension, the clamping strip 38 allows the. bags to be dispensed without wrinkling or tearing the bags. With the grip tabs 32, 34 provided at the outer ends of the support member, the pack may be removed from the shipping carton and located conveniently for use without physically touching the bags. Thus the present invention facilitates the handling of the bags in the establishment or plant in which they are used, and eliminates the necessity for storage racks or shelves for supplies of bags, and arrangements to assist in handling the bags. The packing unit 20 is intended to be hung up thus eliminating the need for racks, stands and other floor space consuming equipment. Moreover, the bags when so packed may be used with the majority of the types of equipment presently in use for handling ready-made garment bags.

When mounted or hung as shown in Figs. 3 and 6, which are illustrative examples only since other ways may be employed to support the dispensing unit, the cross-piece 38, affixed to the support member or pad 30, is located at a point spaced below the top edge of the pad. The spacing strips between the fold lines 47, 48 extend from the pad about 3 times the thickness of the stack so as to support the latter with clearance from the wall when mounted as shown in Fig. 6. As described hereinbefore, when bag No. 1, the top bag, is pulled down the underlying bags Nos. 2, 3, etc., sometimes tend to bunch up along the top edge of the cross piece, or on one side under the cross-piece. When this happens the movement of the underlying bags in the stack is immediately stopped. This bunching is caused most often by one of two things:

(a) The further ends of the top few. bags stick together so that when the topmost bag is dispensed it pulls the further end of the underlying bags forward faster than the center portion which is moved by the normal dragging action of the topmost bag;

(b) The bags may not be in perfect alinement in the stack so that the underlying bag is offset. A" or so from the topmost bag, preventing that side of the underlying bag from being dragged along with the other side. Bunching will, therefore, occur .on the side where the underlying bag is held.

This bunching rather than interfering with the proper dispensing of the bag, is utilized to facilitate the oneat-a-time removal of the bags from the stack since the efliect described is used to prevent the removal of the underlying bags with the topmost bag as the latter is dispensed manually. It has been found that to obtain this result it is preferred to have pressure applied across the center of the topmost bag in the stack, and in order to accomplish this to place the bowed clamping strip 38 on the frontof the support pad, facing the side on which the operator stands when removing bags from the stack, spaced from the top edge of the support pad.

We claim:

1. In combination, a stack of plastic articles such as garment bags, and a unit for dispensing individual articles from said stack, said dispensing unit comprising a support member of a length longer than the transverse dimension at the mid-portion of said. stack defining a stack supporting edge adapted to be received adjacent the lowermost article in the stack extending transversely substantially at the mid-point thereof, the stack being wrapped around the support member, a stiff bowed clamping strip carried by said support member so as to clamp the stack of articles therebetween, said bowed clamping strip extending from points outwardly of the edges of the stack over the latter and including inclined portions contacting the edges of the stack and pressing on the edges of the articles in the stack and the surface of the uppermost article, the center section of said bowed clamping strip exerting less pressure on the articles in the stack then the said inclined portions thereof, and means for carrying said support member in position for dispensing the articles with the stack supporting edge horizontal and the stack draped over the latter so as to permit the uppermost article to be dispensed by being drawn from under said clamping strip.

7 7 2.- Incombination, a stack of plastic articlessuch as garment bags, and a unitifor dispensing individual articles from said stack, said dispensing unit comprising a support member of a length longer than the transverse dimension at the mid-portion of said stack defining a straight stack supporting edge adapted to be received,

adjacent the lowermost article in the stack extending transversely substantially at the mid-point thereof, the stack being wrapped around the support member, a stiff bowed clamping strip carried by said support member so as to clamp the stack of articles therebetween, said bowed clamping strip extending from points outwardly of the edges of the stack over the latter and including inclined portions contacting the edges of the stack and pressing on the edgesof the articles in the stack and the surface of the uppermost article, the center section of said bowed clamping strip exerting less pressure on the articles in the stack than the said inclined portions thereof, said support member being adapted to be carried in position for dispensing the articles with the stack supporting edge horizontal and the stack draped over the latterso as to permit the uppermost article to be dispensed by being drawn from under said clamping strip.

3. In combination, a stack of plastic articles such as garment bags, and a unit for dispensing individual articles. from said stack,: said dispensing unit comprising a narrow fiat support member of a length longer than the transverse dimension at the mid-portion of said stack defining at-straight stack supporting edge adapted to be received adjacent the lowermost article in the stack extending transversely substantially at the mid-point thereof, the stack being wrapped around the support member, a stifi bowed clamping strip carried by said support member parallel to said stack supporting edge so as to clamp the stack of articles therebetweemsaid bowed. clamping strip extending from points outwardly of the edges of the, stack over the latter so as to contact the uppermost article therein and having an inclined portion adjacent each of its ends contacting the edges of 'the stack and pressing on the edges of the articles in the stack and thesurface of the uppermost article, the center section of said bowed clamping strip exerting less pressure on the articles in the stack than the said inclined portions thereof, and means for carrying said support member in position for dispensing the articles with the stack supporting edge horizontal and the stack draped over the latter so as to permit the uppermost article to be dispensed by being drawn from under said clamping strip.

4. In combination, a stack of plastic articles such as garment bags, and a unit for dispensing individual articles from said stack, said dispensing unit comprising a narrow, flat support member of a length longer than the transverse dimension at the mid-portion of said stack and having one marginal edge defining a straight stack supporting edge adapted to be received adjacent the lowermost article in the stack extending transversely substantially at the mid-point thereof, the stack being wrapped around said support member, a stiff bowed clamping strip carried by saidtsupport member so as to clamp the stack of articles therebetween and extending parallel with said stack supporting edge and laterally spaced therefrom, said bowed clamping vstrip having its ends joined to said support member at points outwardly of the'edges of the stack so that said strip extends over thelatter. contacting'the uppermost article therein, and having an inclined portion adjacent each of its ends contacting the edges of the stack and pressing on the edges of the articles in the stack and the surface of the uppermost article, the center section of said bowed clamping strip exerting less pressure on the articles in the stack than the said inclined portions thereof, and means for carrying said support member in position for dispensing the'articles with the stack supporting edge horizontal and the stack draped over the latter so as to Permit the uppermost article to be dispensed by being drawn from under said clamping strip.

5. In combination, a stack of plastic articles such as garment bags, and a unit for dispensing individual articles from said stack, said dispensing unit comprising a fiat support section of paperboard or the like of a length longer than the transverse dimension at the mid-portion of said stack defining a straight stack supporting edge adapted to be received adjacent the lowermost article in the stack extending transversely substantially at the midpoint thereof, the stack being wrapped around said support section, a stilt bowed clamping strip of paperboard or the like carried by said support section so as to clamp the stack of articles therebetween, said bowed clamping strip extending from points outwardly of the edges of the stack over the latter so as to contact the uppermost article therein and having an inclined portion adjacent each of its ends contacting the edges of the stack and pressing on the edges of the articles in the stack and the surface of the uppermost article, the center section of said bowed clamping strip exerting less pressure on the articles in the stack than the said inclined portions thereof, foldable spacing strips located outwardly of the edges of the stack and extending from the lateral margins of the support section being connected to the latter along straight parallel fold lines coinciding with the saidlater'a-l margins of said support section, and foldable slotted hand panels carried by the spacing strips and connected to the latter along straight fold lines parallel to the lateral margins of the support section; said hand panels providing means for carrying said dispensing unit with the stack supporting edge horizontal and the stack draped over the latter so as to permit the uppermost article to be dispensed by being drawn from under said clamping strip.

6. ln combination, a stack of plastic articles such as garment bags, and a unit for dispensing individual articles from saidstack, said dispensing unit comprising a flat support section of paperboard or the like of a length longer than the transverse dimension at the mid-portion of said stack defining a straight stack supporting-edge adapted to' be received adjacent the lowermost article in the stack extending transversely substantially at the midpoint thereof, the stack being wrapped around said support section, a stiff bowed clamping strip of paperboard or the like carried by said support section so as to clamp the stack 'of articles therebetween, said bowed clamping strip being stretched over the stack contacting the uppermost article therein and having an inclined portion adjacent each of its ends contacting the edges of the stack and pressing on the edges of the articles in the stack and the surface of the uppermost article, the center section of said bowed clamping strip exerting, less pressure on the articles in the stack than the said inclined portions thereof, fastening means providing a shiftable connection between each rend of said clamping strip and said support section for adjustment of tension in the clamping strip, foldable spacing strips located outwardly of the edges of the stack and extending from the lateral margins of the support section, and foldable slotted hand articles from a stack and comprising a support member of a length'longer than the transverse dimension at the mid-portion of the stack defining a straight stack supporting edge adapted to be received adjacent the lowermost article in the stack extending transversely substantially at the mid-point thereof, the ends of the stack being folded around said support member, a stiff bowed clamping strip carried by said support member so as to clamp the stack of articles therebetween, said bowed clamping strip extending from points outwardly of the edges of the stack over the latter so as to contact the uppermost article therein and having an inclined portion adjacent each of its ends arranged to contact the edge of the stack and press on the edges of the articles in the stack and the surface of the uppermost article, the center section of said bowed clamping strip exerting less pressure on the articles in the stack than the said inclined portions thereof, and means including hand panels on the marginal edges of said support member for lifting an individual dispensing unit from the carton, said dispensing unit being adapted for mounting with the support member in position for dispensing the articles with the stack supporting edge horizontal and the stack draped over the latter so as to permit the uppermost article to be dispensed by being drawn from under said clamping strip.

8. A package consisting of a carton containing therein a dispensing unit with a stack of articles such as garment bags wrapped therearound, said dispensing unit providing means for dispensing individual articles from said stack and comprising a flat support section of paperboard or the like of a length longer than the transverse dimension at the mid-portion of said stack defining astraight :stack supporting edge adapted to be received adjacent the lowermost article in the stack extending transversely sub- 'stantially at the mid-point thereof, the ends of the stack 30 being folded around said section, a stifi bowed clamping strip of paperboard or the like carried by said support section so as to clamp the stack of articles therebetween, said bowed clamping strip being joined to said support section at points outwardly of the edges of the stack and including an inclined portion contacting each edge of the stack and pressing on the edges of the articles in the stack and the surface of the uppermost article, the center section of said bowed clamping strip exerting less pressure on the articles in the stack than the said inclined portions thereof, foldable spacing strips located 0ut wardly of the edges of the stack and extending from the lateral margins of the support section, slotted hand panels carried by the spacing strips and connected to the latter so as to be foldable over the stack wrapped around the support section forming a compact assemblage within the carton, said hand panels providing means for lifting said dispensing unit from the carton so that the unit may be mounted for dispensing the articles with the stack supporting edge horizontal and the stack draped over the latter so as to permit the uppermost article to be dispensed by being drawn from under said clamping strip.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 439,786 Low NOV. 4, 1890 543,947 Richards Aug. 6, 1895 1,761,809 Ancla June 3, 1930 1,986,649 Steele Jan. 1, 1935 2,811,280 Commisso et al. Oct. 29, 1957 

